Primary Cerebral Malignant Melanoma: A Rare Entity in a Female Patient

Abstract

Background: Primary cerebral malignant melanoma is a rare type of brain tumor, typically found in adults. These primary melanomas have an aggressive nature and have the potential to spread to other organs. In the pediatric demographic, a limited number of cases only documented in the existing literature. The main objective of this report was to delineate the anticipated imaging features and underscore the significance of adopting a multidisciplinary strategy in the treatment of this uncommon condition.
Case Presentation: We present a rare case of the primary cerebral malignant melanoma in a 16-year-old young female. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed an extra-axial lesion seen in the right frontal region with perilesional edema and mass effect. Patient underwent right fronto-parietal craniotomy surgery. An irregularly arranged brownish-black coloured mass present in the right frontal region was completely excised and malignant melanoma was identified by histopathology. Subsequently, the patient proceeded to undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient was asymptomatic, but on her follow-up after 5 months showed disseminated intracranial melanoma metastasis.
Conclusion: The primary treatment of choice for primary cerebral malignant melanomas is complete resection combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. These treatments in combination can improve the prognosis.

Keywords: Malignant melanoma, Metastasis, whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT)